On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, the land of Lord Ram, Ayodhya witnessed an elaborate and majestic celebration of the festival of lights. The Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya started as a part of Diwali celebrations from November 1 and will continue till November 5. The festivity observes earthen lamps being lit up on the bank of the Saryu river in large numbers. The Deepotsav celebrations of Diwali eve on Wednesday made created a world record with over 9 lakh diyas lit in Ayodhya. Apart from this, 3 lakh diyas (earthen lamps) were lit separately at different places in the Hindu holy city on the same day. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who reached Ayodhya for the fifth 'Deepotsav' (festival of lights) event, while inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of various projects worth Rs 661 crore, credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the construction of a grand Ram temple and also launched an attack on the opposition parties. Adityanath claimed that when the Ram temple is built in Ayodhya, it will be the best religious and spiritual city in the world. He said that Ayodhya will become the cultural capital of India. "Now no one can stop the construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya by 2023," he said.
1. Diwali is celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil and light over darkness by offering prayers to Hindu gods and goddesses and lighting diyas in households and workplaces.
2. The lighting of Diya symbolises the existence and power of light and positivity in people's life. It also holds a historic significance as it is believed that diyas were used to decorate the palace and light up the kingdom to welcome lord Ram arriving after the exile.
3. To celebrate the festival of lights, Uttar Pradesh Government organised Deepotsav for 5 long days from November 1 to November 5.
4. The UP state government announced that 7.5 lakh diyas would be lit in Ayodhya this year. Later the land of Lord Ram witnessed the record of 9 lakh diyas.
5. The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has decided that nine lakh diyas (earthen lamps) would be lit in Ayodhya during 'Deepotsav' this year, while an additional 45 lakh 'diyas' would be lit in the homes of the beneficiaries of the BJP government's schemes.
7. Yogi Adityanath has also appealed to the people to buy locally made clay idols of Lakshmi and Ganesh on Diwali.
10. During the entire week, houses, shops, and public places are decorated with small oil lamps called diyas. People also enjoy fireworks and sweets too, so it's really popular with children.
